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dilluns, 5 de desembre de 2011

Syria Receives 72 Yakhont Missiles from Russia*

December 2, 2011: Russia has supplied two Bastion coastal missile
systems to Syria, concluding a controversial $300 million arms deal
inked with the Syrian government four years ago. Russian sources claim
the new missile system will “enable Syria to protect its entire coast
from a possible seaborne attack”, the delivery of these medium range
shore-based anti-ship missile system is taking place as the Syrian
regime is extremely unstable. If the Asad regime falls, these weapons
could be transferred to his allies – Iranian backed Hezbollah, or fall
into the hands of extremist islamic factions fighting the regime. The
Bastion battery comprises 18 mobile launchers each carrying two 3M55E
Yakhont supersonic cruise missiles capable of striking surface targets
on land and at sea at a range of 300 km, with their devastating 200 kg
warhead. With these parameters, such missiles could put at risk elements
of the Six Fleet patrolling the eastern Mediterranean, as well as
Israel navy vessels and Israeli offshore rigs.

The bastion battery comprises eight twin-missile mobile launchers, command and control vehicles and logistics support trucks.